Air Traffic Controller Salary in Clifton, NJ: $173,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Clifton, NJ earns a median $173,155/year (≈ $83.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $150,308 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median air traffic controller salary in Clifton of $173,155 for 2026, professionals in this field can expect competitive compensation, especially in a climate where understaffed facilities often lead to 50-60 hour workweeks. The salary range in this area is expansive, spanning from $100,429 at the 10th percentile to a high of $260,085 at the 90th percentile. These figures are localized estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. Given that a significant portion of compensation comes from overtime, the earning potential for air traffic controllers in Clifton is elevated, illustrating the value of this critical profession in managing air traffic efficiently amidst continual staff shortages.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,429 | $48.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,803 | $60.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $173,155 | $83.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $217,994 | $104.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $260,085 | $125.04 |
Median Salary Position
14.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $159,656 (2026 est.). At $173,155, the local median is 14% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Clifton median: $173,155/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,508 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +14.00% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $173,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $176,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $173,155 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,308 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$140,213
2025 BLS Actual
$168,816
2026 Current Est.
$173,155
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $140,213 | Actual |
| 2020 | $148,683 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,919 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,618 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,339 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,816 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $140,213 (2019) to $168,816 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,392 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $100,429 – $124,803 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,803 – $173,155 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $173,155 – $217,994 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $217,994 – $260,085 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Clifton
Currently, there are 14 air traffic controllers employed in Clifton, NJ, and their pay reflects both the skills required and the local cost of living, which sits at a 115.2 index. This higher-than-average cost of living can impact take-home purchasing power, making it imperative for controllers to maximize their earnings effectively. The best-paying roles are typically at FAA en route centers, which control high-altitude traffic and allocate substantial resources for staffing. Differences in pay among controllers can be attributed to their facility type, certification levels, and the various shifts they undertake, as positions in terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers generally see lower pay compared to en route facilities. Further opportunities for higher pay include shift differentials, overtime, and locality pay adjustments. For those navigating the job market here, pursuing positions at top-tier facilities and maximizing hours through available overtime can significantly enhance salary potential, exemplifying how much air traffic controllers can make in Clifton, NJ.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $168,816 for air traffic controllersin the Clifton metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Clifton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov